Community
11 June, 2025
Female students unite for career insights
OVER 60 female students from five south west Victorian secondary schools recently engaged with senior female Origin employees, gaining valuable insights into career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Students from Cobden Technical School, Terang College, Camperdown College, Brauer College and Warrnambool College met with Origin professionals representing IT, engineering, sustainability, and management. Discussions focused on career journeys, study experiences, and navigating opportunities in STEM.
The visit to Origin’s Melbourne office followed the students’ participation in the Trade and Tech Fit Career Expo and was made possible through funding from the Mortlake Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) community investment program, supporting the Neil Porter Legacy.
Origin general manager LPG Amber Fennell, who was one of six senior employees who shared their experiences, said she was “fortunate” to work for a company that creates inclusive and supportive workplaces for women and gender-diverse people to succeed.
“I think it is important for today’s students to be exposed to the range of different career pathways available to them and I hope that events like this help shine a light on those opportunities,” she said.
“Origin’s Mortlake battery project is one of several key energy initiatives in south west Victoria, placing the region at the forefront of the energy transition and opening doors for young women looking to enter our sector.”
Neil Porter Legacy executive officer and co-founder Matt Porter said the foundation extended their gratitude to Origin for their support.
“The Neil Porter Legacy is very grateful that Origin is not only investing finances to enable programs such as this, but they’re also investing their time and resources to show the female students the many opportunities and pathways available to them,” he said.
“Both forms of support are equally valuable.”
Additional recipients of funding from the Mortlake BESS community investment program’s opening round include the Senior and Disabled Art Group, SES Mortlake, Port Fairy Football Netball Club, Mortlake Bowls Club, Mortlake Men’s Shed, Woorndoo Chatsworth Landcare Group, Mortlake kindergarten, and Commerce Moyne.
The Neil Porter Legacy, a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2021, aims to expose south west Victorian students to a diverse range of career opportunities throughout their schooling.
The Mortlake Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is under construction beside Origin’s 566 MW Mortlake gas-fired power station.
With a storage capacity of 300 MW and an output potential of up to 650 MWh, the BESS will enhance renewable energy development.
Upon commissioning in late 2026, it will charge during peak renewable generation periods – such as sunny or windy days – and discharge energy into the grid during high-demand times.
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